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Bryan Clauson's heart lives on in Knoxville — and in another man's chest

Bryan Clauson’s legacy lives on in those who benefited from his decision to pass on his organs. It will also be remembered in a tower suite to be built in his honor at the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame & Museum.

KNOXVILLE, Ia. — Bryan Clauson’s heart was still beating on his 28th birthday Thursday. It was just in another man’s chest.

The late driver’s legacy lives on in those who benefited from his decision to pass on his organs. It'll live on, too, in a tower suite to be built in his honor at the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame & Museum.

Family, friends, and Dan Alexander, the recipient of Clauson’s heart following his fatal crash last summer, were on hand for the ground-breaking ceremony Thursday in central Iowa.

“There’s not a place in the world that I would rather be than here celebrating his life,” Alexander said.

The death rocked the racing world. But Clauson, who also raced in the Nationwide Series and IndyCar Series in his career, is far from forgotten.

In fact, his impact is still being felt, thanks to his dec—ision to become an organ donor when he was 16.

Among those who benefited from that decision was Alexander, a 63-year-old army vet and father of five from Papillion, Neb. Alexander suffered a massive heart attack in 2013 that destroyed the left side of his heart.

He was watching the news that August when he learned of Clauson’s fatal crash. How could Alexander realize the impact at the time? Clauson's father, Tim, said five lives were saved from his son’s heart, kidneys, liver and lungs.

Clauson’s heart would go to Alexander. After the transplant, Clauson’s family and his fiancée, Lauren Stewart, reached out to Alexander. Since meeting, they’ve built a bond and friendship. Alexander and Clauson's mother, Diana, will talk on the phone typically once a week. Alexander even spent the weekend with the Clauson family during the Indianapolis 500 last month.

“We got to show him where his heart spent its first 27 years,” Tim said.

Alexander was side by side with the three, along with other members of Clauson’s family, throughout Thursday for the ceremony on what would have been Clauson's 28th birthday.

"We will be forever connected now," Diana said. "He feels the same way."

The Bryan Clauson Suite Tower will feature 12 new suites at the track and an observation toward on top for fans to watch races.

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Ricky Stenhouse Jr. chats with Diana Clauson and Dan Alexander at the National Sprint Cup Hall of Fame and Museum on Thursday.(Photo: Tommy Birch/The Register)

Bob Baker, the executive director of the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame & Museum in Knoxville, said the goal of the tower was the honor Clauson and provide another source of revenue. Baker said they’ve raised $1.6 million so far and need to raise another $1.7 million to finish the project.

The hope is to have it ready for the start of the 2018 racing season.

“Deep down, this is his spot in the Hall of Fame,” Stewart said. “He’s going to be here. There’s going to be a suite tower for generations to come to talk about Bryan and the incredible racer and the incredible guy he was.”

It’s a fitting spot for Clauson, who grew to love Knoxville so much that the Hall of Fame was among his first stops during his first race week there. Clauson and his father later made it a tradition to stop in whenever he was back.

“To know his name’s going to be on the suite tower, that’s going to help funds and things of that nature ... is pretty inspiring,” Tim said.

IndyCar driver Bryan Clauson (88) talks with team owner Dale Coyne following his qualifying run for the 100th running of the Indianapolis 500 Saturday, May 21, 2016, morning at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Matt Kryger/IndyStar

Bryan Clauson, at age 16, of Noblesville, chats with parents Tim and Diana Clauson during a Boys & Girls Club fundraiser at Harbour Trees Golf Club in Noblesville. Bryan donated autographed racing memorabilia and his racing helmet, which went for $600.
Betsy Reason/IndyStar

Rookie driver Bryan Clauson of Noblesville, Indiana gets a big hug from his mom Diana Clauson after a qualifying run during Bump Day at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Sunday, May 20, 2012.
Matt Detrich/IndyStar

Driver Bryan Clauson holds his check for thirty one cents, next to fellow driver James Davison (right) at the Indianapolis Press Club Foundation's 43rd Last Row Party, held in the Pagoda at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Thursday May 21st, 2015.
Michelle Pemberton / The Star

Bryan Clauson (6), Noblesville, Ind., sits on the rear tire of his car to rest before he takes his car onto the track for a practice session. Sprint car drivers competed on the mile-long track at the Indiana State Fairgrounds in the USAC Silver Crown 62nd running of the Hoosier Hundred, Thursday, May 26, 2016.
Doug McSchooler/For IndyStar

James Jakes (left), Juan Pablo Montoya (center) and Bryan Clauson (right) make their way to their group photo session before practice for the 99th Indianapolis 500 Monday, May 18, 2015, at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Matt Kryger / The Star

Sarah Fisher Hartment/Curb Agajanian racing's Bryan Clauson walks back to his garage after his car spun out during the running of the 96th Indianapolis 500 Sunday, May 27, 2012, afternoon at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Matt Kryger/IndyStar